MII Around the World

Photos of the Last few days - 12 thru 16 July

noreply@blogger.com (Musicianaries International) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:08:00 +0000

MII on the Final Stretch

noreply@blogger.com (Musicianaries International) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:59:00 +0000

Good Morning America,

MII is now in its last and final day in Kampong Cham. We have had a couple of eventful days since we left Siem Reap tuesday. Tuesday we traveled to Anlong Veng. Anlong Veng is on the border of Thailand. It is a place that is in a great deal of help. It was the last strong hold of Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge group. They are in need on our prayers. We arrived had lunch on top of a cliff that overlooked the village. This restrautant was the very spot where Pol Pot had his artillery and tanks as they fired down on incoming troops and people escaping. We had a rice distrubtion and medical clinic at the Transform Asia chruch set-up there. After that was finished the team traveled to the David Center, which is an orphange ran by Transform Asia staff. We had a mini concert there. It was such an amazing experience getting to interact with the children. They were so loving towards us. Many of us that were there last year remembered some of the children and they remembered us also. I found that to be amazing. It truly shows that God is using us to make an impact on the people of this country. When we left that night, i don't think that was a singler person who didn't want to adopt a child from there. The following day, Wednesday, we traveled to Kampong Thom for two rice distrubtions and medical drop-offs. They were short and sweet. It was a little weird because we were use to long rice distrubtions not being done and back in the vans in an hour. We continued on to our final destination of Kampong Cham. Today, we traveled to the island, Kampong Sdei. This is a very small island that the team and vans were ferryied accross the river. Last year, when a group of 8 went it was the first time they had ever seem a white person and that was the same response this year. Not many people had seen a western, so many people were touching us with the curiousity of us being real. The chruch we had a rice distrubtion and medical clinic at was the aunt of Pastor Setan. It was incredible to see the smile of there faces to see people in the area receiving food and medical care. Our team is learning so much from these new adventures and experiences that have never been seen before. It strengths our faith and our team each and every day. We do miss our homes, mostly our beds and american food, but we know sacrficing those is worth it because we are experiencing the work of God through people's lives and our lives too. I thank you for the prayers. A prayer request is that our travel to Kratie will be safe and our transportation team will be stress free as they are trying to protect the safety of the team and get us safe. Pray they we will continue to see God work through our lives and other people's live. Something i hope that is taken away from this trip is the amount of love and compassion God has for people and the experience we see each day here, we will never forget them and we will use them to shape our lives so we may still continue the work of the Lord even when we are not on the mission field. Goodnight or Good Morning to where ever you are in the world. God Bless you all.

MII Around the World

noreply@blogger.com (Musicianaries International) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:43:00 +0000

Greetings to one and all,

We have spent two days relaxing in Siem Reap. Before arriving in Siem Reap we were in Sisophon. We had our last major concert with the our musicians. It was one of the most entertaining concerts for the reason that Proverb, Melanie, Daud, and the MII band did up-beat songs and songs that required crowd interaction. It was a very enjoyable time. Even Jim and myself found ourselves dancing behind the sound board on a stand that, Jim jokingly said 'we could do a gainer off of'' The following day we woke up early to have a rice distribution at the stage, where the night before we played our concert. The governor was in attendance so of course news crews were there. Later that night we actually saw ourselves on TV. It was pretty exciting. The medical clinic saw at least a hundred people in need of medical care. While waiting for the medical clinic to finish, the rest of the team counted and sorted the school uniforms. Still waiting for the clinic we helped pick up trash in the park where the stage was. That was a very humbling thing for us because it should we were even willing to pick up trash so that we may be able to impact the Cambodia people for Jesus. Later in the day we traveled to an orphanage in Sisophon. Handed out school uniforms, sang some worship songs and played with the kids. For the people traveling to the David Center with us, this orphanage was only a warm up to what we will do for the children at the David Center. Yesterday, 12 July, we traveled to siem reap but may one stop at the Eye of God Church for our Sunday service, rice distribution and medical clinic. Pastor Setan gave the message for us, he spoke from ecc. chapter 3. It was an extremely good message. It struck a chord in the hearts of many team members including mine. After arriving in Siem Reap, it was a free time for relaxation and shopping. Today, July 13, as some traveled to the Transform Asia farm, others went to Angkor Wat. It was a little hard for this year to return because we were not blessed with the wonderful knowledge, insight and tour guide ability of Bobby, but we know he was there with us in spirit. We traveled to many of the temples as before the main temple, Angkor Thom ( where tomb raider and our team pictures are usually taken). Many pictures were taken and memories made as we ran, climbed, walked, and enjoyed a rich and beautiful piece of history. It puzzles a few on why it is not one of the wonders of the world. Tonight is our last night of relaxation. We lose several members: Zack and Mike Koulton, Eileen O'Neall, Proverb, Dr. Randy and his daughter Gywn, and Melanie left two days before, we will dearly miss them. They made this trip amazing and fun. I feel blessed to have served with them on this trip. I ask to you please pray for their safety as they fly home. I hope that the all make it home safely and have no health problems. Please pray for us for tomorrow the team travels to Anlong Vang, which was the last strong hold for Pol Pot. It is a evil place and evil presence can be felt. I ask for prayers of protections and safe keeping for our team. Thank you for your prayers. Miss you all. God Bless You. Good night and Good Morning to some.

July13 2009 Rice for Cambodia Update - Siem Reap Area

noreply@blogger.com (Musicianaries International) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:19:00 +0000

Hi to all... Today the team went two different directions - one team to Angkor Wat to see the ruins from 1100 AD timeframe and the other to see the 89 hectares - roughly 220 acres of farm land TransformAsia is trying to grow rice on. We were part of the team at the Farm as we called today's adventure. Transform Asia - TfA - bought some land a few years ago and is trying to make a go at farming the land. Biggest issue is having a steady water supply that can be used for irrigating the rice fields. They don't have the backhoe or excavator to trench with which would make it all so much better. There is a stream from the Tonle Sap Lake less than a mile from their property and with the right prep of an irrigation system TfA could be farming a lot of rice on all that land. As it is they are barely getting a yield of 0.8 tons per hectare due to the irrigation issue. Without a retention pond and irrigation channels they must depend on the rainfall that has been inconsistent in this area. The Farm was about 35 miles west of Siem Reap. The land is beautiful country and could eventually be a great asset to the TfA/Musicianaries International/Positive Life Radio strategy for agricultural development of rice and other crops.
We'll get some pictures on the blog when we next can. In additon, we distributed school uniforms to the children who use this farm as a gathering place. Many of them are orphans whose fathers have left for Thailand and never come back. Following the fathers, the mothers also leave and the older siblings end up caring for these children. There are approximately 350 children who fit this category. We saw 60 today and distributed school uniforms and school supplies to these children. They were so excited to receive this from us. It did not matter if it was the correct size. They are so happy to be able to get to go to school!!! They get fed by Grandpa who works for TfA every couple of days. To learn more about these children and the opportunities to sponsor them go to the transformaasia.us site. After a few hours on the Farm we ventured back to Siem Reap to begin the airport runs of changing out the first half team - Dr Randy and Gwyn Alanko, Mike and Zak Koltun, Eileen O'Neall and Proverb Newsome with the second half team - Vicki, Malissa and Justine!! Please pray for safe travels and rest for the members flying home later tonight God Bless and see you next time :)

Recent Rice for Cambodia Picturs - 12 July 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Musicianaries International) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Update from the team - 12 July 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Musicianaries International) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Greetings from Sisophon,

Time to catch everyone up with our journey. We left Phnom Penh - 6 July 2009 - as scheduled by 1000 on Monday. We pulled out at 1005 which is nothing short of a miracle for this group. How all the luggage, food that we carry, medicines and all our supplies and people loaded into the vans. We left Phnom Penh amid lots of crowds that arrived by the bus loads for the mourning of President Chea Sim's wife. What saddened us all was last Thursday, 25 June John Clark along with Jim and Cheryl McCandliss had a wonderful 45 minute visit with President Chea Sim along with Ps Setan Lee and his daughter Sandra. Ps Setan was very close with the President and his wife so her death had a personal impact for our team. Setan conveyed our warmest condolences to the President and that we prayed for the Lord of the Universe to comfort the President during this time. President Chea Sim called Setan the day we left Phnom Penh to thank us all for our prayers on his behalf. So...Traffic was blocked on many streets and police and military were everywhere. But we left the big city behind and traveled out to the country and The Women's Center in Kompong Chhnang. We distributed rice of about 2 tons here and set up under the awning for the medical clinic. It was a very overcast day so that helped with the heat. One of the vans had a flat tire, so there was a distraction for some of the kids while they changed the tire. We saw about 150 people here at the Women's Center where they train young girls in the art of hair dressing and sewing. With so much prostitution in this country, this at least gives the young ladies a fighting chance to earn a living if they can gain a skill. We were finishing up seeing the last 50 people or so when the rains came. They were monsoon-type rain that soaked everything in its path. The kids were playing with a beach ball early on in the rain, then even they came in for cover. We had to move all medicines inside to finish our clinic. We once again loaded into the vans and we were off again.

We stopped in Pursat for the next two nights. We stayed in a guest house that used a pillow that was as comfortable as a bag of cement!!! But it was clean and the restaurant for breakfast was next door. This is a good thing. The next day was a rice distribution with the Governor of the Provence. Here we gave out 10 tons of rice. Of course we had a medical clinic that happened also. We had a couple of very sick children that will hopefully do well with the antibiotics given. Lots of older people with arthritis pain too. A couple of people sat with our wonderful translators (two wonderful and God loving young American ladies from YWAM that speak fluent Khmer - Krissy and Molly) and said they really did not have any medical maladies, but wanted to say hello anyway. Regardless, we gave them vitamins and Tylenol and they were on their way. Our doctor, Dr Randy Alanko from Baker City, Oregon feels the biggest service we are doing for these people is giving everyone the worm medicine. Funds have been donated to cover the cost of thousands of toothbrushes and toothpaste. Debbie Dawson (from Washington state) has a set of teeth and a translator to explain how to brush your teeth. And she's joyfully giving toothbrushes and trainng to everyone who comes to the clinics. Praise God!!!

That evening we had a concert with all the performers from Cambodia, South Africa, Indonesia and the United States. We started about 7pm and the crowd was maybe 400 people. By the time the music started and others heard this, we had lots more people arrive on their motos. The stage was set up in the middle of a field and we were off to the races. Best guess is there were 3000 in attendance at the highest point. Cambodians can be fickle about the music they like. When the ballads were sung, they were off for points unknown as they left in droves. A restaurant actually stayed open for us and we managed to have a late dinner before collapsing into bed.

The vans were packed up in the morning and we were off again to Battambang. This is where Ps Setan Lee the leader of Transform Asia who is our contact here in Cambodia is from and where his nightmarish ordeal began in 1975 through 1979 in the Killing Fields. He points to many places where he remembers his friends and he gathered, the University where his Mom attended, the place where he watched his best friend murdered in cold blood….. It is amazing to listen to his stories. We have a group of Pastors with us to assist with the rice distributions and all the red tape. We handed out 5 tons of rice at Pastor Chanta's church as well as school uniforms. Time was short, so we had a bag of medications including vitamins, Tylenol, Ibuprofen and worm medicine to leave behind. Lunch was prepared for us at the Trade School in Battambang where some young ladies are taught to sew. They do a beautiful job and this was a chance to purchase gifts as well as support a worthy cause. We finally checked into the hotel for a very short time before we gathered at the pool. John and Jim and Pastor Chanta climbed in the swimming pool and baptized 41 people of all ages. They stepped in the pool fully dressed and were reassured by the men in the pool that they were safe. Some had looks of shock as they came up after the immersion, but they all did it as planned. It was a heart-warming sight to see. Just enough time to change shirts or splash cold water on your face and off we went to Pastor Kosal's church. We met his mother who usually does not venture out of the house, but knew we would be there and wanted to meet us. Another 5 tons of rice and another medicine bag drop off and we climbed back in the vans to return to the Trade School. And of course - lots of music and dancing by all at every stop!!!

The Trade school takes students that they hand pick and teach them how to sew and make Khmer clothing, purses, wallets, etc. It also teches computer training to other students. It was time for the team to do some shopping and support the girls and the Trade School. They learn to cook and learn hygiene. This at least gives them a fighting chance in this country and a way to earn money. No tuition is charged for this one year of schooling, but they are sponsored by various donors for the year. We had an incredible lunch and dinner prepared for us at the Trade School. It was wonderful to have a home-cooked meal.

During the evening we particpated in a youth rally at the Trade School. Everyone had a great time for a couple of hours with the singing and the dancing. It was an energetic crowd of young people while us older folk were pooped and looking forward to go back to the hotel we were in. The internet at the hotel was sketchy to say the least. The wireless connection would connect and drop off on a pretty regular basis. Since we were looking at an early morning, we gave up and went to bed.

Up and out at 0600 and off to Poipet near the Thai border. Last year when we visited this town, the paved road ended and we bounced along through a gutted dirt road for about 12 miles. This year the paving was completed to the Thai border. We handed out 10 tons of rice and set up for a medical clinic. The President of Poipet - Mayor as we would know him - was there and participated in the speeches. The Cambodian Health Department was also there and wanted a sample of all of our medication. Pastor Sophana came over and said they wanted to see what medicine we were giving out. They wanted to analyze them and make sure they were pure!!! We all think they were trying to get some free medicine. Guess we have to play by their rules. As it was they never came back and there was no trouble with the clinic we were doing.

After Poipet, we arrived in Sisophon. The rooms are not special by any means. No hot water or mirror in the bathroom. It is clean (relatively) and there are no critters running around but a large snake was seen the next morning in the parking lot!!!. The air con works well and that is what counts. We had a concert on a real stage that the Governor allowed us to use free of charge. Remember the 41 baptized in Battambang? Well about the time the baptisms were done, the Govenor of the province called and offered us to use his permanant stage in Sisophon at no cost. Wow God's blessing on us was wonderful!!! So we were able to set up and perform on a real stage - permamanet with all the things we needed so we didnt have to assemble our stage we travel with. There were probably about 4000 people in attendance. Lots of upbeat songs and great team and crowd participation. It has been great to have the Cambodian band members from New Song along with us. Their bad is led by Chanta who's wife was waiting to deliver at any moment back in Phnom Penh. So papa to be was so happy but nervous to be so far awya from his wife. The concert was packed throughout and no one from the crowd wanted to leave. Makes for a long day when the concert ends at 1000pm after 3 and half hours of playing. We all came back to the hotel, ate and fell into bed.

Rice distribution and medical clinic in the morning at the same stage the concert was held at the night before. 8 am with the Govenor came early and we coaxed the govenment officials to allow all the Cambodians to join us up on stage - near 400 plus - to keep out of the sweltering heat. At the medical clinic they saw another 200 people. Lots of HIV in this neck of the woods. The young children with HIV are the saddest. They are searching for something that we could not give. We saw one woman who was in pain. She had lost her arm in a land mine accident many years ago. We saw lots of people with prosthetic legs. The foot has a space between the big toe and the second toe so they can wear a flip flop type sandal. These people are resilient and grateful for even the simplest thing we can do. Their smiles are infectious. We have a break and off again to an Orphanage in Sisophon to hand out school uniforms and school supplies and play with the kids. We did see one little boy with a rash all over. It appeared he had an infestation of parasites by washing with unclean water. Off to the local Pharmacy to pick up some medication for him. Then it was time to play. There was a beach ball which made a hit with all the boys. They chased some of the teenagers we had with us and had a blast. Lots of running and lots of energy. There was a lot of laughter and I think fun by all.

Our last day in Sisophon, we traveled to Banteay Chhmar approximately 61km and 2 hours away via a paved road which becomes a dirt road which becomes a very, very, very bumpy road for the majority of the trip. Oh did I tell you the road was bumpy??? There was actually a bump where we were all lifted off our seats!! Glad all our teeth are still intact. En route, we stopped for a bathroom break. We pulled into a house to ask if we could use their squatty potty. They were gracious enough to agree. The woman of the house seemed in distress so Dr. Randy examined her and found her in need of valve replacement surgery. Setan took her name to have her scheduled for surgery when his cardiac team of Physicians arrived in February. No coincidence we pulled into this house. We continued on and visited a church that was built with money raised by Melanie, a singer from South Africa. She held concerts in order to raise the money. It was too bad Melanie couldn't join us here - she was at Siem Reap Airport set to return home to South Africa for an young ladies conference. We did call her at the airport and she spoke by phone to the people gathered at the church. We handed out the 10 tons of rice. We had our medical clinic and Dr. Randy was very busy. He was able to suture a wound on a woman's thumb that she cut with a knife just today. There was a precious 6 month old with serious health problems. We could hear a heart condition and he was struggling to breath. Setan's Physician group/surgeons would not arrive until February. The infant will probably not survive that long so we all gathered together and prayed for Haim and his mother. At that point in time, that was the best medicine we could do. How frustrating that we cannot fix it all and save all the children. We saw other people who really needed medical care with infections and blood pressure problems. Some still just wanted to say hello. Unfortunately we parted paths with our two American YWAM friends who have been wonderful translators who are so precious and gentle with these people. Krissy and Molly gave tirelessly for the whole week and we'll miss them greatly but there's always next year right?

Today –Sunday 12 July, we headed to Siem Reap and we hope to be able to actually send this note out to everyone. We stopped at the TransForm Asia " Eye Of God" church for Sunday services and a rice distribution. The church is in the town of Preah Net Preah and the village chief came to the Lord a few years back - followed thereafter by the whole village. Daud, Ps Setan and Timothy sang beautifully for us all and after the service we gave new clothes to the adults and school supplies to the children. After a stop for lunch we made it to our hotel – Angkor Holiday where we'll be as we change over the team tomorrow. The team is healthy with just some minor issues with ear infection (we carry medicine for that), allergy-type symptoms with runny nose and minor episodes of stomach issues. Believe it or not, we are very close to team exchange. We cannot believe it has come upon us so soon.

God Bess one and all and Please remember us in your Prayers.

MII around the Country

noreply@blogger.com (Musicianaries International) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Greetings to one and All,

Finally a spare moment and a hotel in Cambodia that has Internet. Wednesday, July 8, 2009 the team arrived safely into the city of Battambang. Which I found out from Pastor Setan means "lost stick" We arrived around 9:00am (10:00pm est) and were not able to check in yet because the guest staying in our rooms had not checked out yet. That is all good though. We all got back into the vans and headed to a rice distribution at Pastor Chanta's church. Also at Pastor Chanta's church we handed out 30 school uniforms to children and we handed our bibles in Khmer to kids that were living at the church.

Pastor Chanta's is among several pastors that are apart of an organization called CCEA (Cambodia Christian Evangelical Alliance). It is an organization of all the christian pastors and churches throughout Cambodia, Transform Asia is a member of CCEA.

We then traveled to the Trade School of Transform Asia for lunch. Just a regular lunch: rice, soup, cooked vegetables, and beef. After lunch while waiting to get back to the hotel, many team members bought gifts made by the people at the trade school. Trust me if you get one, it will be amazing quality and you will thoroughly enjoy it.

After arriving back at the hotel at around 1:30pm (2:30am est) we had just enough time to check-in and put our bags in the room before the baptisms. There were about 30 people that were baptized by Jim McCandliss, John Clark, and Pastor Chanta (Director of CCEA). It was a beautiful sight to see these Cambodians decide to let go of their old live and become new in Jesus. One of the greatest moments of our trip so far.

We left right after the baptism for another CCEA pastor's church, Pastor Kosal. We handed out 5 tons of rice to people in need. We also gave each person receiving rice a bag of salt and biblical tracks in their native language, Khmer. We did not have a medical clinic, but we did present Pastor Kosal and Chanta with medicine. Regina Clark explained how to use it and Pastor Setan translated for them.

We left Pastor Kosal's chruch for a Youth Rally at the Trade School. Proverb, Melanie, Daud, MII Band, and NewSong all got the youth pumped up. With Proverb rapping, Melanie and Daud getting the crowd and our team dancing. No one worried about it being hot or sweaty. we were all having fun. I even think the youth were sad to go. Who isn't sad to have to leave such a fun and energetic time singing about our Lord and Savior.

Thank you for all your prayer. Please continue to pray for Cambodia and the people in Cambodia. They are truly in need of God. Have a blessed day and God Bless every single one of you

Rice Disrtibution June 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Musicianaries International) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:37:00 +0000

Cambodia 2009, day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Musicianaries International) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:14:00 +0000

Greetings to one and all,

John Clark has been in Cambodia for a week and it has been a busy week to say the least. Jim and Cheryl McCandliss arrived from Hawaii last Wednesday. All have been working with Pastor Setan and the rest of the pastors involved in this ambitious undertaking throughout Cambodia. Will and Regina arrived last night. To date, 60 tons of rice have been distributed to various people in the Phnom Penh area. Various dignitaries have assisted in the presentation of rice to the various peoples. They have included the Head of the State and President of the Senate, the Minister of Religious Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Education and the Minister of Social Affairs. These rice distributions are all within driving distance from Phnom Penh. The people who have been blessed are poor, sickly and some are even homeless. They are very appreciative of the rice donated for them.

Today, members of the team began to arrive. Things will get busier and more hectic as we leave from Phnom Penh and begin our travels. The medicine is here and waiting to be counted into individual bags to be distributed to the people seen in the Medical Clinics that are set up simultaneously with the rice distributions.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1, members of the team that are not part of the band will travel to Tae Keo for a medical clinic. The band members will remain behind to practices their songs and practice playing with members from different countries: Cambodia, South Africa, Indonesia, and United States.

Changes in this country are very evident. Building is going on everywhere. Unfortunately construction of high rises is leaving multitudes homeless with nowhere to turn. Although we cannot reach all Cambodians, we know that we make some small impact on some lives. The rice is clearly marked as to where it is from and the Ministers are present so they can receive some of the credit for the rice donation. As long as we are able to complete our missions without interference, there is no problem with any of the pomp and circumstance. Bobby and Setan both agree it is all about establishing and nurturing relationships.

This is but a brief snapshot of what is going on here. We will continue to keep you updated while we have Internet access. Please continue to pray for the entire Musicianaries team as this mission progresses and evolves.

Our First Post

noreply@blogger.com (Musicianaries International) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:29:00 +0000

Hey everybody! Thanks for taking the time to check out our new blog based website here at musicianaries.org! We're looking forward to posting from the field for all our various trips! If you're looking for additional information, please check out www.bobbymichaels.com for now!